A group of activists marching down the street with a banner that reads "Clean Up the Tropical Timber Trade". The image has a green hue.

Planet over Profit End exploitation by big business

Our world's natural resources are being exploited to make countless everyday products, from chicken produced by soy-fed animals to soaps made with palm oil. Many companies involved in these global supply chains are wreaking havoc on our planet’s life support systems.

And this environmental destruction comes hand in hand with human rights abuses, particularly for people in poorer countries. These communities bear the brunt of deforestation, land grabbing and displacement, while global corporations reap the profits.

While many of us are conscious about the choices we make, shady practices from businesses behaving badly make it hard to see the impact of what we buy. But they must be held accountable for any damage they cause.

That’s why, together with the Corporate Justice Coalition, we're part of the Good Business Matters campaign, calling for a new UK law that requires companies to avoid harm to people and planet in their supply chains.

Demand a new UK law

Products harming people and planet

Make companies accountable for the damage they cause

Demand a new UK law
Demonstrators holding a banner that reads "People and planet over power and profit" and other placards

Holding companies to account

As well as pushing for a new law, we can also challenge companies directly on their unethical business practices. We've been holding multinational company Unilever to account for the conflict palm oil in its supply chains.

Its ties to Indonesian palm oil giant Astra Agro Lestari (AAL) link Unilever to numerous environmental and human rights violations. We've shown Unilever the problem and asked face-to-face what it's going to do. We know the company is listening, and we'll continue to push it for action.

How we're holding Unilever to account
Demonstrators holding a banner that reads "People and planet over power and profit" and other placards

Learning hub

Tree facts: deforestation in the Amazon. Half of picture is pristine forest, half cleared flat.
What are supply chains and why do they matter?
How can we be sure that the food we buy and the clothes we wear aren't doing more harm than good? Sustainability Analyst Clare Oxborrow explores how supply chains can negatively impact people and planet and why the UK needs a new law to hold companies to account for damage they cause.
What are supply chains and why do they matter?
How can we be sure that the food we buy and the clothes we wear aren't doing more harm than good? Sustainability Analyst Clare Oxborrow explores how supply chains can negatively impact people and planet and why the UK needs a new law to hold companies to account for damage they cause.
Cypress wetland forest in North America
How is the UK causing habitat destruction worldwide?
The wonders of habitats like the rainforest and the wealth of species they contain have been transported to our homes by TV series such as Planet Earth. But they’re being exploited to fuel global demand for everyday products. Find out about some of the most at-risk habitats and how the UK is contributing to their destruction.
How is the UK causing habitat destruction worldwide?
The wonders of habitats like the rainforest and the wealth of species they contain have been transported to our homes by TV series such as Planet Earth. But they’re being exploited to fuel global demand for everyday products. Find out about some of the most at-risk habitats and how the UK is contributing to their destruction.
Two women in a thrift store looking at a brown fleece
How can I tell if a product is ethical?
It’s not always easy to work out whether our favourite brands’ green credentials are up to scratch. With companies falling over themselves to promote their eco-friendly products, learn how you can cut through the noise and make informed, conscious choices.
How can I tell if a product is ethical?
It’s not always easy to work out whether our favourite brands’ green credentials are up to scratch. With companies falling over themselves to promote their eco-friendly products, learn how you can cut through the noise and make informed, conscious choices.
Child holding carrots at vegetable patch
Live sustainably: how to be a conscious consumer
Do you want to purchase better products, waste less, and reduce your environmental impact? Then check out our ethical shopping and lifestyle tips to see how small, everyday changes can help make the world a better place.
Live sustainably: how to be a conscious consumer
Do you want to purchase better products, waste less, and reduce your environmental impact? Then check out our ethical shopping and lifestyle tips to see how small, everyday changes can help make the world a better place.
A male guide is sat by a tree on a hilltop, overlooking forest canopy below
Environment Act won't halt deforestation or protect human rights
Supply chains are trashing forests and trampling human rights. Find out why the government’s new Environment Act will fail to protect communities, and why it must take effective action to regulate UK companies.
Environment Act won't halt deforestation or protect human rights
Supply chains are trashing forests and trampling human rights. Find out why the government’s new Environment Act will fail to protect communities, and why it must take effective action to regulate UK companies.

Further reading

Episode 15: Loving fashion and the planet

03 Mar 2021 | 18.03 MB MP3 file
As fashion week draws to a close, we take a look at one of our most problematic faves – new clothes.

Muna and Louisa speak to fashion insiders Ros, from repairwhatyouwear.com, and Marie, founder of CONGREGATIONcollective, to find out what we can do as consumers to push the fashion industry to be better, and what companies and our government should do to make the important changes we need to see.
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